March 16 / 13.30 Cheltenham

13.30

Soft

Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £98472.5
  • 2m 3f 168y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.50

Form: P-1211 CD

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Won the Grade 1 Challow as a novice hurdler last term before flops at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals; wind surgery followed; while he disappointed on second chase start, he's won the other three and particularly impressed when always front rank in C&D handicap on latest (soft; unraced on heavy); on his way up and a serious contender on that latest evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Stage Star

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Best known for his 2m4f exploits that include Grade 1 novice wins over hurdles/fences; however, put up a good fight against odds-on L'Homme Presse when upped to 3m1f in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (soft) most recently, emerging as the best horse at the weights; one of a few runners who remain unexposed at this sort of trip.

13/2

3rd

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Stage Star

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Best known for his 2m4f exploits that include Grade 1 novice wins over hurdles/fences; however, put up a good fight against odds-on L'Homme Presse when upped to 3m1f in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (soft) most recently, emerging as the best horse at the weights; one of a few runners who remain unexposed at this sort of trip.

13/2

2nd

2

25th Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Stage Star

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second, led after 1st, faced challenge before 2 out, soon disputing lead, hung left run-in, no extra towards finish

9/1

66/1

  • Place: £8.60

Form: 41-111 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Seven races; huge progress for new yard this term over fences, winning one novice handicap at Wetherby and two over 2m4f at Musselburgh (soft ground on penultimate start); hugely on top from the front the last twice and should have more improvement in him, but this company is so much harder.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

13th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

14:07 Kempton

Notlongtillmay

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: L J Morgan

Very solid record (form figures 111242) since joining Laura Morgan and switched to fences; good second in major 2m4f handicap at Cheltenham most recently and filled same position in Grade 1 novice there last March; versatile ground-wise; has progressive RPRs and should go well again.

5/1

5

18th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

14:20 Cheltenham

Notlongtillmay

11st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Very progressive last season, winning three novice handicaps then good second to Stage Star in 2m4f Festival Grade 1; posted another sound Cheltenham effort (2m, good) on reappearance, which tees him up nicely for this prize; clear possibilities with the return to 2m4f a likely plus.

7/1

4th

1

28th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

13:15 Cheltenham

Notlongtillmay

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Has not looked back since joining this progressive yard, winning three Class 3 handicaps (1m7f-2m4f; from soft to good) before excelling himself when second at 40-1 in the 2m4f Grade 1 here in March (soft); raised 10lb but there was no obvious reason to believe that improved effort flattered him; his jumping should be an asset over this sharper test; respected.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: P-1111 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 162

Form & Verdict
Blew out in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at this meeting; successful Down Royal chase debut preceded Grade 1 wins at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) and Leopardstown (2m5f, yielding), asserting impressively; mostly fine leaps but also the odd notable mistake; oozes class and has clearly the best chase form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 170y

16:55 Fairyhouse

Mighty Potter

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gordon Elliott

slightly awkward start, raced wide, prominent, not fluent 3rd, disputing third when pecked on landing 5th, pressed leaders when fell 10th

6/4

3rd

6

16th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 168y

Class 1

13:30 Cheltenham

Mighty Potter

11st 7lb

J: Davy Russell

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield

11/10

1st

6

5th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 44y

13:40 Leopardstown

Mighty Potter

11st 10lb

J: Davy Russell

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, prominent after 2nd, mistake 6th

11/10

Form: /6-113 C BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
No ground worries; 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner here, respectable sixth in Champion Hurdle on only start last season; no errors and no difficulty when making all at long odds-on in first two chases this term; his only runs beyond 2m1f were in points and at 2m4f in a 2019 bumper win, but he now looks ready for it again after his creditable third in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown, challenging at the last but left behind by Tuesday's Arkle winner El Fabiolo and pipped for second by Banbridge; big each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 66y

15:20 Thurles

Appreciate It

11st 8lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Former top-class novice hurdler still going strong at the veteran stage; beat two shorter-priced stablemates in this race last season; brought down at the 21st in the Grand National; smart form when chasing home stablemate Gaelic Warrior in the Oaksey Chase at Sandown; resumed with second to Affordale Fury here in November; form franked in the Savills.

10/11

2nd

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Appreciate It

11st 8lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

11yo who ended a long losing run when beating stablemate Classic Getaway by 6l in Grade 2 at Thurles in January (2m5f, good); brought down ten fences out in the Grand National three weeks ago; it's possible he might run into a place but a few of the others have stronger claims.

16/1

Form: P-2323 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in 2022 Coral Cup here before wind surgery; minor honours in all four chases, the only disappointment on good ground on penultimate start; tongue-tie first applied for C&D handicap (soft) last time and that never-dangerous third of 11 was up with his best form but Stage Star gave him 2lb and beat him almost 14l; has potential but major work to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

1st May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Warwick

Unexpected Party

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Bled from the nose when a fading fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters latest (2m5f, good to soft), though still had Fan De Blues comfortably behind for the second time this year; more prolific on easier surfaces but Taunton win in January reaffirmed he's effective on good as well.

2/5

4th

22

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Unexpected Party

12st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival in March 2024 (2m, soft) and runner-up in it last year (good to soft); comfortable wins in hunter chases on last two starts (2m5f/2m6f, good/good to soft); his stamina will be more severely tested in today's hotter company but leading claims if seeing it out.

4/1

1st

2

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:30 Haydock

Unexpected Party

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Useful handicapper who won the Grand Annual Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) and was second in that race last year (good to soft); did not need to be at best to make winning hunter chase debut at Taunton (2m5f, good; main rival disappointed) last month and ought to remain a potent threat at this level.

5/4

Form: 9/2-16 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
4-13 in his French days; debut for Willie Mullins was in the 2021 Champion Hurdle no less, beaten 32l, but he was then a Grade 1 runner-up at Punchestown that April; off 612 days before easily making all when 1-4 at Fairyhouse (2m5f, soft; further smart form) on New Year's Eve in his first chase, but remote last to Mighty Potter in Leopardstown Grade 1 five weeks later.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 90y

16:08 Navan

James Du Berlais

11st 3lb

J: J J Slevin

T: W P Mullins

Modest strike rate over fences (2-19); smart handicap form; second in the 2024 Topham; won at the Punchestown festival last April; out of his depth in the John Durkan on reappearance; last of three in the Howden at Ascot, squeezed for room and failed to pick up from the last; justified his second-favourite status when chasing home Appreciate It at Thurles.

11/4

2nd

4

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 66y

15:20 Thurles

James Du Berlais

11st 3lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Modest strike over fences (2-18); however, one of those wins came in fine style in a handicap at the Punchestown festival (2m4f, yielding) last April; no impact when 50-1 in the John Durkan on reappearance; outsider of three in the Howden at Ascot, got squeezed for room and failed to pick up form the last; capable of better

4/1

1st

2

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:05 Punchestown

James Du Berlais

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: W P Mullins

held up in rear

8/1

Form: P3-512 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Won novice handicap at Kempton (2m4f, soft; unraced on heavy) on second chase start and did it easily by 9l; very good front-running second to Wednesday's Brown Advisory second Gerri Colombe in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m4f, good to soft) latest and has sometimes jumped to his left, so going this way round instead may help; progressive and in each-way calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

15:00 Ayr

Balco Coastal

11st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, led after 2nd, headed 8th, led again 10th, joined 4 out, weakened quickly 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

2/1

7th

2

16th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 168y

Class 1

13:30 Cheltenham

Balco Coastal

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent

10/1

2nd

1

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Balco Coastal

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

jumped left on occasions, led, disputed lead after 6th, prominent from 9th

7/2

Form: 0-1132 C

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Won 2022 Martin Pipe over hurdles at this meeting; impressed over fences at Gowran and Cheltenham on first two starts this season; looked as if he badly needed a step back up in trip in the 2m1f Grade 1 Irish Arkle at Leopardstown, not jumping so well, outpaced well in rear before grabbing second from Appreciate It on the post; while he has 2m4f today, penultimate start (heavy defeat behind Mighty Potter) reinforces a doubt about him on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Banbridge

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

So nearly won his second King George at Kempton over Christmas but, although he's a class act, excelling over 3m on good ground at that speed track doesn't mean that this test will suit him; his moderate late headway in the extended 2m4f Grade 1 Ryanair at Cheltenham last month isn't that persuasive either.

50/1

3rd

1

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Banbridge

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Won the Martin Pipe over hurdles at this meeting in 2022 as well as a novice chase here that year, but Kempton is where his heart lies, having won the Grade 1 King George (3m, good) in 2024 and gone desperately close in the same race (first-time visor, retained here) on Boxing Day; however, he's been beaten a long way out at the last two Festivals, in this race and the Gold Cup, and a flat track may now be ideal; has something to prove.

6/1

4th

1

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

17:30 Punchestown

Banbridge

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

jumped left on occasions, raced in third, went second 6th, struggling and lost second 3 out, weakening when lost third before 2 out, tailed off

4/1

Form: 260-22

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdles form, most on soft (not proven on heavy); sixth in 2m5f Coral Cup here last March, albeit well beaten; flopped in May 2021 on first attempt over fences; having another go this term following a fourth wind operation, and he's not been disgraced over 2m in two small fields but that form leaves him with a mountain to climb and hurdles form is also not good enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Christopher Wood

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Smart hurdler and useful chaser in his prime but on a losing wicket over fences for a long time; perhaps he'll be all the better for a return to hurdles, for the first time in three years, but that's up in the air.

14/1

3rd

3

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Christopher Wood

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

led

14/1

3rd

4

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:40 Hereford

Christopher Wood

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Very useful hurdler/chaser in his prime but has regressed and become inconsistent; ran very poorly in Lingfield marathon last month and needs to respond very positively to the addition of blinkers here.

9/1

Non-runners

Banbridge, Christopher Wood

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £256.30
Straight Forecast £152.55
Tricast £452.96
Trifecta £442.00

Selections

RP Ratings:

Mighty Potter

SPOTLIGHT:

Stage Star

Telegraph:

Appreciate It

LAMBOURN:

Balco Coastal

The Sun:

Banbridge

The Times:

Mighty Potter

The Guardian:

Mighty Potter

Daily Mail:

Mighty Potter

Daily Mirror:

Mighty Potter

TOPSPEED:

Stage Star

POSTDATA:

Stage Star

WEST COUNTRY:

Stage Star

D Express:

Appreciate It

The Star:

Appreciate It

Daily Record:

Appreciate It